Weight loss with walking alone?

schparks
schparks Posts: 74 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Are there any MFP success stories where a person has achieved major weight loss with just walking for exercise (in conjunction with healthy diet)?
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Replies

  • litatura
    litatura Posts: 569 Member
    Me - I lost the majority of my weight by walking on the treadmill (I started slow and worked my way up to a speed of 3.3mph, incline of 12% and I would do it for an hour a day X 5 days/week). I only switched to running about 2 months ago.
  • faithgriggs
    faithgriggs Posts: 47
    I have too,except I used the Walk At Home w/ Leslie Sansone.I started at 209 as my heaviest and I am at 165,still more to lose,but I want it to be slow so that it is a lifestyle change rather than a "quick fix".besides,after 6 kids,slow weight loss has allowed my skin to keep up with the changes too ! I am seeing muscle definition as well! Keep up the good work
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    +1
  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
    I did not lose my initial 50 pounds on MFP but rather WW and the only form of exercise I did was walking.

    I'd walk five to six days a week and anywhere from two to four miles.

    If outside, I'd find hilly routes but if on the treadmill, I'd challenge but speeding up to increase speed and increase the incline.
  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    i lost about 20 pounds walking around the neighborhood four times a week for about 30 minutes each time. i needed to lose some weight so i could do some different exercises. i drank a ton of water and was very careful with my diet. i still walk, but add some other exercises to help lose and maintain the weight loss.

    good luck.
  • schparks
    schparks Posts: 74 Member
    Thanks for your replies! They are very encouraging! :)
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I couldn't stand and support my own weight at 560 lbs. 37 months ago, I started in the pool using water displacement so that I could stand and I walked from one side of the pool to the other adding laps daily (therapy pool at the YMCA) for 16 months and lost 170 lbs. before I was able to work my way to the shallow end of the pool and ultimately into knee braces (severely bad knee's) and onto land based exercise.. I still use the pool for swimming but do most of my walking out of the pool and lost another 140 lbs. since then... Best of Luck....
  • Going4Lean
    Going4Lean Posts: 1,078 Member
    I lost most of my weight just walking a few miles a day and eating less.
  • swest222
    swest222 Posts: 455 Member
    great question, very encouraging!!
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    Thank you for starting this thread. I've only been walking so far and while I do my best to not get disheartened when I read people's posts on Insanity, P90X, etc. (which I can't do for health reasons), I often wonder if walking and some resistance training will be enough to lose weight and stay fit.
  • roachhaley
    roachhaley Posts: 978 Member
    i dont do any extra exercise (walk a little normally, just to get around) and lose weight

    weight loss comes from calorie deficits, which you can create however you want
  • TexanThom
    TexanThom Posts: 778
    That is all I do. I walk 5 times a week 45-100 mins. at a time, never over 2.7 mph. It works for me.
  • sofakingawesome69
    sofakingawesome69 Posts: 149
    I have been getting about a 15 minute walk 2 times a day. usually only weekdays. I am down 10 in about a 6 week time frame so it will work. Plus I am getting faster at it. I walk the same route that I started and now it only takes me 13 minutes instead of 15.

    Doing anything helps//
  • bethira
    bethira Posts: 132 Member
    When I was my heaviest (300 lbs), I could not do anything but walk. And even then only for short bursts (10 - 20 minutes at a time). I mix it up now with classes like Zumba, Pilates for flexibility, strength training and swimming, but I still walk almost every day in addition to whatever else I do. My opinion is that walking has done more for me than anything else. Low impact, steady results.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    Staying at a healthy weight is simply about diet. You cannot out-train a bad diet. So, it's about 80% diet. The exercise is really about being fit. It's does play together, but exercise is not important to losing weight. You can lose doing nothing but reducing calories in.

    I think walking is fine. Typically, though, if you can, after a while, you might want to add a short run in with your walk, with eventually running the whole time.

    It is best to change4 up your workouts. Doing the same thing over and over, your body gets used to it, and then it just becomes normal. You have to keep changing it up. Ride a bike one day, walk another, do some resistance training another, and keep changing up what you do. Take a Yoga class. Variety is best for all around fitness. You don't have to push really hard and do Insanity. But, you should be working up a sweat. If you jusy want to take it easy and do simple exercises, you will get that kind of result. The harder you work, the better the result you will get. It just depends on your goal.
  • jtakingcareofherself
    jtakingcareofherself Posts: 144 Member
    I think it may be tough for "the last 10 lbs", but the higher your BMI, the easier it is for the weight to come off. If you've got more than a couple of dozen lbs to lose, I wouldn't worry about the long term, I would just focus on shorter term goals, and know that you can adjust later, and try something different if and when you reach a plateau. I find it's overwhelming to think about the long term. Plus, it would be tough on your joint to run if you have a BMI >30.
  • jenf235
    jenf235 Posts: 157 Member
    I have been walking outside, about three miles a day when possible. I also use the Leslie Sansone videos. I LOVE them. I started this weightloss plan in the middle of June and have lost over 5 pounds so far. So along with a strict diet, I am keeping up with the walking and the videos. I have a long way to go, but am very inspired by all of the other comments here!
  • mandy031383
    mandy031383 Posts: 94 Member
    Sure, I lost my first 29 lbs by just walking 4-5 times a week on average 3 miles at a moderate to brisk pace and eatting healthy. I just started this month also doing weight/strength exercises along with still doing my walks.
  • spiregrain
    spiregrain Posts: 254 Member
    I lost about 17 pounds walking, usually less than 30 minutes per day, and eating less. Still working on it, but as time goes on I feel energized and inspired to do something more intense. One of my mfp's and major inspirations on here, who I am hoping will chime in, walks a TON, and he has lost maybe 65 pounds?
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I have too,except I used the Walk At Home w/ Leslie Sansone.I started at 209 as my heaviest and I am at 165,still more to lose,but I want it to be slow so that it is a lifestyle change rather than a "quick fix".besides,after 6 kids,slow weight loss has allowed my skin to keep up with the changes too ! I am seeing muscle definition as well! Keep up the good work

    I second Walk At Home DVDs too. These are very adaptable ...you can make them more or less challenging .... as needed.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    10 or 12 years ago I lost about 20 lbs by just walking (mostly on my treadmill) and cutting out snacks, sadly I didn't keep it up.

    Now I run but that's because I discovered I love running. Walking is great exercise and can help with both weight management and improving cardiovascular health.
  • Treesy72
    Treesy72 Posts: 230
    bump
  • SandyAnnP
    SandyAnnP Posts: 252 Member
    HI! yes I have lost my weight so far, with walking and calorie counting. I lost quite a bit before I discovered MFP. I saw an ad here In Australia for MKC ( Million Kilo Challenge) which was lose 10 kilos in 10 weeks ( that is 22 pounds) I decided I really HAD to try and I did it. Then someone mentioned MFP on one of their forums and I came over to have a look and thought "this is the place for me- so much friendship and inspiration) :D
    I started out walking around the block, boy that was a shock as I was leading a very sedentary lifestyle ( I couldn't even make the bed without getting breathless). I kept adding another street, another block and so on....
    I now walk EVERY day for between 60 and 90 minutes, usually manage to cover between 5 and 7 kilometres, ( that is between 3.1 and 4.3 miles) and I try to walk up a few streets that are a bit steep.
    When I started on my new lifestyle ( no 4 letter words like diet, please) I weighed 223 lbs. At the moment I weigh 185 lbs, still want to lose around another 25 to 30 lbs.
    I do not do without occasional treats, or family celebrations. Most things are fine in moderation, but you need to count calories and eat as healthily as possible.
    I would like to do some strength building exercises but I need hernia surgery so my doctor has said no.
    I can't believe how much I look forward to my walk each day- that couch potato no longer exists!!! It was not easy at first but now my body is used to moving.
    Just start and never look back- this is something you can do for yourself and you are so worth it.
    I have rewarded myself by not only losing weight, and fitting into nicer clothes again, also my sky-high BP is now at a proper level, and I have most probably given myself the gift of living longer.
    Good luck with you walking and weight loss! Sandy. :)
  • SilkyHotspur
    SilkyHotspur Posts: 233 Member
    I keep this link to send to people as needed. I consider it to be the best answer for your question.

    23 1/2 hrs
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo&sns=fb
  • verptwerp
    verptwerp Posts: 3,659 Member
    Yes, lost the first 40 lbs by eating better & walking :drinker:

    Now I've joined a gym ..... still walking ...... also biking, lifting weights & doing yoga ......

    Best of luck to you !
  • DesireeLovesOrganic
    DesireeLovesOrganic Posts: 456 Member
    Me too. I think the food part matters the most...
  • sophiathedss
    sophiathedss Posts: 97 Member
    Me too! Lost most of the weight so far walking...now I run and walk, use the eliptical and some heavy lifting. I also eat VERY clean. I couldn't support my weight before I lost the bulk of my weight. It's much easier now on the joints :)

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  • scythswife
    scythswife Posts: 1,100 Member
    most of mine has been doing Leslie Sansones walking dvds and i have thrown in a little wii and a few jm dvds but mainly different Leslie dvds. that and food
  • JoolieW68
    JoolieW68 Posts: 1,879 Member
    Lost my first 63 pounds by walking only (power walking, on an incline, with wrist weights).

    Don't just 'walk', but rather WALK.
  • cathyb60
    cathyb60 Posts: 315 Member
    I agree with whoever said "thanks for starting this thread" I have been reading the replies and have been inspired! I'm on my way to the treadmill now and back to the aquatics class I have been ditching for a couple of weeks tomorrow! Thanks everyone! I have finally come to realize this site works if you use it and get involved in it. Cathy

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